Not long after returning to the base, Su Zhan's phone rang. The caller ID flashed: Nick Fury.
Su Zhan sighed, already anticipating trouble. Every time he did something significant, S.H.I.E.L.D. would show up. "Do these people have nothing better to do than watch me all day?" he thought, annoyed.
He picked up the call, his tone less than friendly. "If you're not calling to give me a bonus, I'm hanging up."
Nick Fury was momentarily stunned by Su Zhan's bluntness, but he quickly recovered. "There's no bonus. I just wanted to thank you for saving Spider-Man."
Su Zhan cut him off. "Not interested in your gratitude. And who said I was trying to save him? I was just cleaning up the mess. If there's nothing else, I'm hanging up."
"Wait—" Fury tried to interject, but Su Zhan had already ended the call.
Nick Fury stared at his phone, fuming. No one else dared to hang up on him. He had genuinely wanted to thank Su Zhan for saving Spider-Man but also to remind him not to be so high-profile. Killing Doctor Octopus in broad daylight had stirred up public opinion. Some people approved, but many were shocked and even afraid. The American public was used to seeing criminals arrested and tried, not executed so directly and decisively—especially when victory was already assured.
But Fury knew there was no persuading Su Zhan. He would do as he pleased, regardless of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s advice.
Back on the island, the last batch of workers had just been sent home by Blink. Their wages were generous, and they left full of gratitude. In an instant, the island was quiet and clean, ready for the next phase of construction.
Su Zhan called a meeting in the spaceship's conference room. Blink, Marrow, Chan Ho Yin, Pepper, and the Dark Elf—who now served as the ship's pilot—were all present.
Su Zhan looked around and sighed inwardly. "Still too few people," he thought. But with Damage Control about to take over the project, he knew the base would soon be finished. "In the meantime, I'm going to S.H.I.E.L.D.," he announced. "Blink, Pepper, I'll need you to oversee the construction and make sure everything stays on schedule. Chan Ho Yin and Marrow, you two stay on the ship and focus on your training. There will be opportunities for you to shine soon."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Pepper seemed like she wanted to say something, but in the end, she stayed silent.
Su Zhan noticed her hesitation but pretended not to. He knew Pepper had been staying to repay him, helping with the base's construction. Once it was finished, she might leave. He had even hinted earlier that he was getting used to having her around, wondering aloud what he would do if she left. Since she had not responded, Su Zhan decided to assign her to the project, ensuring she would stay—at least until the base was complete. After that, he would find another way to keep her by his side.
Suddenly, the Dark Elf spoke up quietly. "Master, someone is approaching the island."
Su Zhan turned to him. "Can you see who it is?"
The Dark Elf quickly manipulated the controls, and soon the surveillance screen displayed a speedboat racing toward the island. When Su Zhan saw who was on board, he smiled in surprise. "I know why he's here," he said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
He turned to the Dark Elf and said, "When he arrives, call me 'boss' like the others."
The Dark Elf's eyes lit up with excitement, and he nodded eagerly. He had proven himself to be loyal and reliable, so Su Zhan did not mind raising his status a bit.
"Blink, go bring him in," Su Zhan instructed.
"Yes, boss!" Blink replied, opening a portal and vanishing. Moments later, she returned, leading a nervous-looking man into the conference room.
It was Dr. Curt Connors—the Lizard.
Connors glanced around the room, his gaze lingering on Su Zhan. He looked uneasy, almost unable to meet Su Zhan's eyes.
Su Zhan leaned back in his chair, feet on the table, fingers steepled. "So, tell me, why did you come to me?"
Dr. Connors hesitated, then spoke in a low voice. "I… I already pledged myself to you. I just thought you might need me for something, so I came."
Su Zhan raised an eyebrow. "It's been a while since we last spoke. If you really wanted to join me, why didn't you come sooner?"
Connor fidgeted, searching for words but finding none.
Marrow, who had never liked Connors, spoke up sharply. "You're just scared. You tried to capture me before, remember?"
Connor flinched, guilt and fear written across his face.
Su Zhan said nothing, simply staring at Connors. Even without meeting his gaze, Connors could feel the pressure, as if Su Zhan's eyes were boring into his soul. After a long silence, Connors finally admitted, "Yes… I was afraid. I've been hiding since I left. I didn't want to follow you, not really. But then I saw the news—you killed Doctor Octopus. I used to know him. When I saw what happened to him, I realized I could end up the same way. That's why I came."
His confession seemed to drain the last of his strength, and he waited anxiously for Su Zhan's response.
After a long pause, Su Zhan finally spoke. "Since you're here, stay. There's a team of researchers and a project that needs your expertise. I have a serum here—study it."
Connors let out a long breath, nodding gratefully. "Thank you. I won't let you down."
Su Zhan stood and clapped his hands. "You know what will happen if you betray me. I don't need to say more. If anything comes up, have Blink contact me."
He left the conference room, confident that his team could handle any trouble Connors might cause. Blink, Marrow, and Chan Ho Yin had all grown stronger, and they were more than enough to deal with the Lizard.
Su Zhan was ready to visit Skye and, on the way, check in with Fitz about the progress on the new battle suit.